The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-31
The Federal Authorities Take a Firm Grip
ON the Situation and Indicate Their In.
tention to Enforce the National Laws.
The Kind of Democrats Who Rule Mary
land Under Mr.. Germans Dictation.
Discharged Republicans Arranging to Organ
ize Political Associations at Washington
The Red Tape in the War Office.
THE INDIAN TROUBLES.
The Federal Authorities Take Hold of TIN
Matter in q Businesslike Way.

20, was received at the War Department today
referring to Major Randlett's dispatch OF
the 27th forwarded by me this morning. | sug
gest that under Sections 2l47. 2l49 and 2I50, Re
vised Statutes. Indian Agent Byrnes should be
instructed to remove from his reservation all
persons who may intrude upon it, and that the
military commander at Fort Duchesne be in
structed to give him al the assistance he may
require. It is hardly to be supposed that the
civil and military officers of Colorado will forget
that State writs do not run beyond the bound
aries of the State. But in the excitement OF the
situation this may be overlooked, and Major
Randlatt does not seem feel at all sure that
the pursuit of the Indians will not continue.
think. n precaution, the order which / sug-
gest should be given
General McFeely, acting Secretary of War.
submitted this telegram to the President at the
Cabinet meeting to-day and the situation was
carefully considered, resulting in telegraphic in
structions being sent this afternoon by the
President, through the Interior Department., to
Governor Adams, of Colorado, to conine the
action of the civil thorties strictly within the
limits of the statutes, to prevent the
sheriff's posse or the militia from crossing the
reservation border. Should such precpitate
action be taken it is feared that disastrous out
break of the reservation Indians would follow,
and everything possible will be done to avoid
such result.
Another dispatch from Maj or Randlett. COM
mander of the post at Fort Duchesne, dated
Aug. 20 was forwarded TO the War Department
to-day. In it. Colonel Randlett says:
"Colorow and all his followers now az
Ourav agency. fifty miles from Colorado, and
manifest disposition to remain on their
reservation. There is no excitement among this
Indians. The militia and cowboys hold hun
dreds Of horses and thousands of sheep and
goats belonging to Colorow and Chipeta Ouray'a
widow This stock was grazing the land
claimed by the Indians belonging TO their
reservation. and where they have been permit.
ted by their agent live for years. Colorado
settlers have claimed locations there and have
at last succeeded in driving the Indians in.
Colorow has IN this trouble been the
war pa th. and has made his way to the reserva-
lion, avoiding hostities as far as possible"
Commissioner Atkins. OF the Indian Office.
also received the following dispatch from Indian
Agent Byrnes, dated, Ouray agency, Utah.
Aug 90 which throws more light on the situa-
tion
''Coiorow ana his followers are now at the agen-
CIV. They say they not III ad and don't want to
fight. They express willingness to remain.
Major Leslie. who fired on these Indians. on the
border of the reservation, took possession and
run off about 300 head of the Indians horses that
were grazing on The public land near the reser-
Rangely, Col. by Major Leslie. who informed
Lieutenant Burnett that he would hold them
until certain Indians were delivered to him.
The cowboys are breaking these Indian horsef
For their Unless something is quickly
done these horses will not be recovered.
l Therefore request that you ootaiI
authority from the War Department
to allow Col Randstt. commanding Fort Dus
chesne, to send detail of men to bring these
horses on the reservation, as it would be danger
ployes, as they would be roughly handled. being
known be in sympathy with the Indians.
These Indians, when pursued by Sheriff Kendall,
were compelled to abandon two thousand sheep,
besides large herds of goats, which should be
recovered with the horses. These Indians,
when attacked in Colorado. were on a peaceful
hunting expedition, and they believed they had
right under the treaty OF 1874 and as under
stood with them and their com mission, to hunt
upon these lands in Color do. Please send
authority by telegraph"
With these dispatches before them the situa-
ton was carefully considered by the President,
acting Secretary Muldrow. of the Interior De-
partment, and Gen. McFeeling, acting Secre-
tary of War, and as result the following tele.
graphic instructions were sent late this after
noon to Gov. Adams, of Colorado:
agent Byrnes, of the Untah and Ouray
agency, reports that Major Leslie has taken pos
session of 300 head of Indian horses that were
grazing the public lands near the reservation
line: that he corralled them at Rangely. and
would hold them until certain Indians were de-
livered up to him. | am directed by the Presi-
dent to request that you take all proper meas
ures to deliver these horses to Agent Byrnes.
The latter will be directed to take possession of
the same for the Indians as arrange
ments made for their delivery. | also re-
spectfully ask you TO cooperate with Agent
Bvrnes in collecting the sheep goats. and other
of these Indians, with a view of
storing the same to their reservation"
Commissioner Atkins also sent the following
by telegraph to Indian Agent
Byrnes:
" You will. pursuant to statute, remove from
your reservation all persona found there con-
rrary TO law, and prevent unlawful encroaeh-
ments or entries thereon for any purpose. This
military will be at once ordered to cooperate
with you and aid you in enforcing these instruc-
tions The civil authorities of Colorado and
those acting with them must proceed in the
manner provided by Law for the enforcement OF
any process issued by State authority, ana the
will, If the emergency arises. assist
them in orderly and lawful efforts to enforce
such process You will also collect and restore
the Indians of the reservation all the property
abandoned by them Governor Adams has been
requested to direct the delivery 10 you of the
horses captured from the Indians and now held
by order of Major Leslie"
The military will at once cooperate with
Agent Byrnes and render sucn assis tance will
enable him to carry out these instructions. It
is now believed by War aud Interior Department
officials that there is danger of further collis
ions between the State militia and tie Indians.
and that the military and the Indian agent will
soon ad Just the difficulty and restore peace and
tranquility the border.
Isumor that Z Efghtihg HAS Seen resumed
denver, Aug. 30.-Adjutanrgen Chap
man has received the following from Major
Brooks. dated Genwood Springs, Aug. 29
"Phil Foote has just come in. He left
Meeker at 1:30 this morning, and brings dis
patches. as "A courier left hour ahead OF him.
A messenger from Rangely reached Meeker just
before Foote left, who reports the Indians NOV
ing east toward Raneely. whore the troops are
He thinks fighting has been re-
newed. Major Leslie had parlev yesterday.
The Indians had fifteen killed and sixteen NOR
tally wounded. They said Damn cowboys fool
Utes; put on soldiers Clothes They demanded
the return of their horses. Major Leslie stated
that the horses would be- given upn Colorow
and the two Indians indicted were surrendered.
This they positively rejected. and the pow-wcw
broke M The courier with the dispatches
came on the road. with change of horses.
Enota carna through on trail. The courier